Impact-Attenuation Midsole With Tubular Support Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footwear sole technologies rely heavily on material properties for cushioning and energy return, often resulting in heavier and less efficient designs.
Innovation Solution
A support structure system for footwear soles that includes tubular bodies with inwardly curving walls, arranged in various configurations to provide cushioning and energy return, while minimizing material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If material properties are heavily relied upon for cushioning and energy return, then cushioning performance is improved, but footwear weight increases and material efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is segmented into multiple hollow elements (chambers) connected by bridges, creating a cellular structure that provides cushioning through geometric configuration rather than relying solely on material properties. This segmentation allows for effective impact attenuation with reduced material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole employs a porous cellular structure with hollow elements and internal ducts that enable impact absorption through air flow and structural deformation. This porous architecture provides effective cushioning while minimizing material quantity, thereby reducing overall footwear weight.
2Reliability
If more material is used in the midsole, then cushioning effectiveness is improved, but material efficiency and weight reduction are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The midsole is divided into multiple hollow elements connected by bridges, creating an efficient cellular structure that maximizes cushioning effectiveness per unit of material. This segmented approach allows for strategic material distribution, providing optimal impact attenuation while minimizing total material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole combines different materials with complementary properties: a resilient base material (such as EVA or polyolefin) provides structural support and energy return, while the hollow element geometry and air flow pathways provide additional cushioning. This composite approach achieves superior cushioning effectiveness with reduced material quantity.
3Reliability
If traditional solid foam structures are used, then cushioning is provided, but weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional solid foam structures with a porous cellular configuration featuring hollow elements and internal ducts. This porous architecture maintains cushioning function through structural deformation and air flow while significantly reducing material density and overall sole weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The midsole incorporates pneumatic elements (hollow chambers containing air) that provide cushioning through air compression and flow. This pneumatic approach replaces material-dependent cushioning with physics-based air spring mechanisms, achieving effective impact attenuation with lighter construction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The support structure system achieves effective cushioning and energy return with reduced material usage, resulting in a lighter and more efficient footwear sole design.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of hollow elements, made of elastomer... each whereof is internally shaped so as to form, upon assembly, two superimposed chambers
Implementation Method 2
the duct has a smaller cross-section than the chambers and forms a constriction for passing air flows
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
An impact-attenuation midsole comprising: a first support structure having: a first tubular body including a first wall that at least partially encloses a first hollow cavity and that extends circumferentially around a first reference axis, the first reference axis intersecting a reference plane at a first angle in a range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees; the first tubular body comprising a first end and a second end that are spaced apart from one another in a first axial direction; and the first wall curving inward towards the first reference axis as the first wall extends between the first end and the second end.